party place

After scouring the town for a reception facility, we were back to square one. Where else could we go?

Back to the internet, of course. We decided to expand the scope of the search, to other locations in Cleveland, including (gasp!) a hotel. This led us to The Cleveland Botanical Gardens

Playhouse Square (catered by Sammy's)

The Renaissance Cleveland Hotel

(Lobby on the left, Ambassador Ballroom on the right)

So we (and by we, I mean Calvin) contacted the Botanical Gardens for information on prices. Turns out, rental fees would have been $3000+, and dinner costs would have been at least $150/person. Even the Ritz-Carlton was cheaper than that.

Neither of us were that excited about the Playhouse Square option, so we contacted the Renaissance. Yes, it is a hotel, but it was originally called the Hotel Cleveland. It is in Public Square. Downtown. And every member of our extended family has memories of this event or that occasion that they went to at the Hotel Cleveland (or the Renaissance). And the Ambassador Ballroom, pictured above, looked beautiful. Yes, it is a hotel ballroom, but it looks awesome.

So we (Calvin) contacted the Renaissance, and we arranged an appointment to meet with them. And it goes flawlessly. Valet parking is prearranged for us, and we spend over an hour looking at the ballroom, the cocktail space, as well as the other ballroom facilities. Turns out, the Ambassador is just a bit to small for our needs. And the cocktail space would be in a pub-like area in the basement. But the Gold Ballroom suits our needs just perfectly. Shortly thereafter, the contract is signed.

Pictures of the Gold Ballroom: